July 2023 Newsletter

Greetings Supporters!

It’s hard to believe that July is already here, and I hope that you’re enjoying the longer summer days and the opportunities they provide to spend time with family outdoors, enjoy our community, and take in some fireworks this Fourth of July.

I’d like to start by personally thanking Commerce Chenango for recognizing ACHIEVE as their 2023 Commitment to Community award recipient at their annual gala last month for our dedication to transforming the downtown landscape with our “New Beginnings in Norwich” renovation project. We’ve long believed in the value of community collaboration, and this state-of-the-art facility is just another opportunity for us to partner with downtown businesses and organizations to enhance the lives of over 100 individuals in Chenango County in meaningful ways. Information on how you can donate to the success of this renovation can be found in this month’s newsletter.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us last evening for our 68^th annual Membership Meeting, Dinner Dance and Awards Ceremony. This highly successful evening always serves as an excellent opportunity to thank and acknowledge our outstanding staff members, participants and community members for their dedication and support of the work of this organization, while giving everyone the chance to break out their dancing shoes. Pictures from the event can be found in this newsletter.

With our 2023 Dinner Dance a success, planning turns to our largest event of the year, our 13^th annual Savor the Summer, presented by M&T Bank. After the successful return of this event in 2022, where we were joined by over 350 supporters, excitement is already building for this elegant evening held at our Cutler Pond Road site on Thursday, August 31^st from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. I invite you to join us for this always highly anticipated evening of local wine, craft beer and gourmet fare. To learn more and purchase tickets, please click here or find more information below.

As one last reminder, we’re in the final month of our 2023 Membership Campaign, running through July 31^st. For just $1, you and your family can become Members of ACHIEVE and demonstrate your support for our organization and the individuals we serve. I personally ask you to consider becoming a Member and recruiting others to join as well. Joining this year’s Membership Campaign is easy, and information can be found in this month’s newsletter.

Thank you once again to everyone who joined us at this year’s Dinner Dance, and thank you to our community for your continued support. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Best regards,

On June 30th, ACHIEVE held its 68^th Annual Dinner Dance and Awards Ceremony, and it was a HUGE success! More than 350 individuals, including agency employees, individuals served, their families, corporate sponsors, community supporters and local dignitaries attended.

Presented by Mirabito Cares and the ACHIEVE Foundation Board of

Directors, this special event celebrates the accomplishments of individuals

supported by ACHIEVE, our incredible staff, and community supporters.

Everyone got to sit down and enjoy this year's Membership meeting, a delicious dinner, a terrific awards ceremony, and an ACHIEVE dance party afterwards, hosted by DJ Johnny Only!

Ad Elements, ACHIEVE's Video Sponsor, once again produced the

beautiful award videos shared throughout the evening.

These incredible videos can be viewed here.

Photos from the event can be found on our Facebook page.

Thanks again to Mirabito Cares, the ACHIEVE Foundation Board of

Directors, Ad Elements, The Binghamton DoubleTree, and all of our corporate sponsors and community supporters for making the evening a success!

2023-2024 ACHIEVE Board of Directors

Our Dinner Dance and Awards Banquet kicked off with our 68th annual Membership Meeting, and saw the election of our slate of officers to our Board of Directors, Nominating Committee and Board Members re-elected to a three year term.

Officers to be Elected for their first 3-Year Term

(2023-2026)

Congratulations to the new directors for their 1st three-year term and welcome to the ACHIEVE Board of Directors, Ms. Mary Surdey, Ms. Carol Rosenbaum, and Ms. Tammy Kocik!

Officers to be Re-Elected for a 3-Year Term

(2023-2026)

Congratulations, Mr. James Peduto, Ms. Erin Cummings, and Ms.Barbara Schindler for being re-elected to a three-year term! Thank you for your continued leadership and support!

2023-2024 Slate of Officers

President: Dave Chambers, Chief Financial Officer, Delta Engineers

Vice President: James Peduto, President, Knowledgeworx

Secretary: Nicki French, Retired, United Way

Treasurer: Barbara Schindler, President/COO, Golden Artist Colors

Nominees for the 68th Annual Dinner Dance

Happy Birthday, Dorothy!

Dorothy recently celebrated her birthday with her Program Manager, Loretta, and one of her favorite people, Loretta's brother Rob! They treated her to dinner at Cracker Barrel, gave her plenty of flowers and made sure she had a truly special day!

Congratulations on Your Promotion!

Amanda Warren - Program Manager

For this edition of #WhyIACHIEVE we are honored to highlight Rachel Gardner, Day Habilitation Specialist. Rachel has been working at ACHIEVE for 7 years, and she ACHIEVEs because of the adventure she experiences for herself and the people she supports. “There is a sense of peace and joy in being able to watch everyone grow and achieve all that life has to offer, all with a smile on their faces.”

Rachel we are very #ACHIEVEProud to have you as a part of our

ACHIEVE family!

Thank you, Commerce Chenango!

We’re #ACHIEVEProud to have been recognized as Commerce Chenango’s Commitment to Community award recipient at the Chenango Commerce's annual gala for our dedication to transforming the downtown landscape with our “New Beginnings in Norwich” renovation project!



Thank you, Commerce Chenango, for this incredible honor, a wonderful and fun event, and congratulations to the other award recipients, NBT Bank, Lewis' Restaurant, and the Cirello Family!

Thank you, J&J Furniture!

Thank you, J & J Furniture Mattress, for donating a portion of your April sales to our "New Beginnings in Norwich" renovation project! Your gift is going to impact the lives of hundreds of individuals in Chenango County in overwhelmingly positive ways, and we appreciate your support!

Your family or business can be a part of the legacy of our state-of-the-art day and community-based services center opening in the heart of downtown Norwich.

Donate Today - New Beginnings in Norwich

Thank you to everyone who has donated to our New Beginnings in Norwich renovation project, which is on schedule to open in Fall of this year!

You can be a part of this state-of-the-art day and community-based services facility that will be right in the heart of downtown Norwich and directly impact the lives of hundreds of individuals in Chenango County by donating and helping us reach our $250,000 public fundraising goal.

ACHIEVE Awarded $85,700 in Grants from

NYSARC Trust Services

ACHIEVE was incredibly fortunate to be the recipients of a combined $85,700 from the Trustee Management Board of NYSARC Trust Services to support our James M. Hayes Guardianship program and Recreation programs.

NYSARC Trust Services administers supplemental needs trusts (SNT) and pooled trusts that can make dramatic improvements to the lives of people with disabilities by enabling individuals to maintain eligibility for Medicaid and other means-tested government benefit programs. For 2023, NYSARC Trust Services is proud to fulfill its commitment to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities by awarding a total of $2,697,980 in grants to The Arc New York Chapters statewide.

This year, ACHIEVE received $68,700 to provide guardianship services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who would not otherwise have a legal guardian or advocate. Supported by Chapter staff and community volunteers, the James M. Hayes Guardianship Program currently provides guardianship supports and services, and is proud and ready to assist as a Standby or Alternate Standby guardian.

NYSARC Trust Services also awarded ACHIEVE $17,000 to support new recreational opportunities and enrich the lives of our participating individuals. In the past, these funds have been used to help fund our Summer and Recreation Respite Programs, and we’re incredibly grateful to NYSARC Trust Services for the consideration and support.

Day of Action 2023

The weather tried it’s best to keep them away, but the third time was the charm, and a group of Community-Based Prevocational individuals and staff volunteered at Tech Works for the United Way of Broome County Day of Action. Those priceless smiles say it all! 

They did a variety of landscaping and outdoor spring cleaning tasks to improve the grounds! 

Great work guys!

Last month, ACHIEVE recognized Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day. On this day in 1865, the last of the African-American slaves were freed in Texas. Even though slavery was abolished in 1863 by Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, it took time for slaves to be notified and for Union Troops to enforce it. 

Celebrations of this momentous day include public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, singing traditional songs such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” and reading books by noted African-American authors like Maya Angelou. Street fairs and family cookouts are also common traditions. 

It is so important that we take the time to educate ourselves on the amazing ideas and culture that is offered all throughout our community and

within our agency.

Carousel Fun with Community Habilitation

Did you know that Broome County is known as the Carousel Capitol of the World? With six rare and special carousels in the Southern Tier, it was hard for our Community Habilitation team not to take advantage of the fun. As you can see, it was a fun-filled day "horsing around"!

Picnic in the Park

Richard and his provider, Michele, seized the day and adventured to the Chenango Commons to have a picnic. It ended up being a great day for it, with the weather holding out!

With sunshine and full bellies, it was safe to say it was a great outing.

Broome Bands Together

Hamilton Drive IRA was able to enjoy the good weather and took part in "Broome Bands Together"! They were able to enjoy great music, good food, and fantastic company all while walking the beautiful nature trails

at Otsiningo Park.

Sprucing Up the Gardens

Day Habilitation Specialist, Irvelt, and Core Room 3 at Cutler Pond day habilitation showcased their green thumbs in the gardens that are on-site. With a wide variety of vegetables being grown since they started them as seeds indoors a few months ago, it was finally time to get them into the raised beds outside. We cannot wait to see the finished products!

Together Again!

A couple of the individuals over at our River Road IRA had spent some time away at Camp Arrowhead and were picked up by their two favorite staff! Having been apart from each other for a while, they decided to catch up over a meal at their favorite place to eat, Cracker Barrel! The friendship and stories shared made the day very special!

Chef Jimmy

Chef Jimmy is back at it again, and this time he had some help! Chef Jeff and Chef Jimmy made a homemade ham, egg, and spinach pizza with tossed salad for everyone at the IRA to enjoy!

The pictures alone are enough to make anyone hungry.

Great work Chef Jimmy and Chef Jeff!

Chenango Science Fair

Chenango day habilitation held a special Science Fair Day!



Each Core Room worked together to come up with a different science experiment that they then shared in a special presentation to the full group, giving everyone the opportunity to learn more about science and the world around them!

Buttermilk Falls

Surprisingly, Upstate New York has been very fortunate to see a lot of sunshine and green this time of year, which means a lot of travel to beautiful places such as Buttermilk Falls in Ithaca! Courtly Circle IRA took a Saturday trip there and enjoyed the beautiful landscape along with a nice picnic with friends!

Community Habilitation Adventures

The Community Habilitation team has been very busy, visiting Broome and the surrounding counties to check out all the awesome activities they have to offer. They visited Buttermilk Falls to have a picnic, the Discovery Center, the Ross Park Zoo, and even a special trip to Cooperstown to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame!

Bowling With Ariel!

Boy, does Ariel love bowling! Ariel and her Community Habilitation provider, Vicki, have been working to be more involved in the community, and discovered that Ariel has a knack for bowling! She loves it so much that she never wants to leave the bowling alley, and now every Tuesday, they go bowling!

More Bowling Fun!

Bowling was a very popular activity throughout June. So popular, in fact, that Cutler Pond's Core Room 6 also took a trip to the bowling alley!

Lunch and a movie

Country Club Lane IRA saw the dreary weather outside one Sunday, but decided they were not going to let that stop them from having a jam-packed day full of fun!

They took a trip to Binghamton to enjoy a meal at Denny's and catch a movie afterwards!

Happy Monsters

Core Room 6 at Cutler Pond day habilitation made Happy Monsters!

"Keep me in your pocket & hold me when your blue. Place me near your pillow at night so sweet dreams come true. Put me near a window to soak up all the rays. Take me on adventures & brighten up your days!"

These monsters and their story really brightened up our day, how about yours?

Cutler Pond's Very First Pickle Contest

Earlier in June, Cutler Pond day habilitation hosted it's very first Pickle Fest pickling competition! Many contestants entered and provided a wide variety of recipes that incorporated pickles. As you can tell the judges LOVED every dish, and they just couldn't pick a winner!

Congratulations to everyone who participated and made this event so successful and fun!

Fun With Recreation Respite

Our Recreation Respite team are always finding new activities to do, and always knock it out of the park when they find something special.

They were very busy throughout June, going to Rumble Ponies games, having fun at ACHIEVE's Halfway to Halloween Party Night, taking an adventure to the Faerie Fest where they met mermaids and danced with faeries, and back to relaxing at Cutler Pond, where they made tie-dye shirts. You name it and they did it last month!

Sterry Drive IRA Enjoys a Picnic!

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 4th OF JULY from the River Road IRA and ACHIEVE!

We are very excited to welcome everyone back for our largest event of the year, ACHIEVE's 13th Annual Savor the Summer tasting event!

Presented by M&T Bank, this elegant evening on beautiful Cutler Pond features the area’s best wineries, breweries and restaurants, and will be held on Thursday, August 31st from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

We hope you’ll join us for another fun evening celebrating the closing days of summer!

Is your restaurant, winery or brewery interested in being featured at this year’s Savor the Summer? Contact ACHIEVE’s Director of Community Engagement, Raffe Morehead at [email protected] for more information.

Become a Member of ACHIEVE for Just $1!

• Our Members give us a voice.
• The more Members we have, the bigger our voice.
• By becoming a Member, you show that you support ACHIEVE and our Mission.
• There are no emails, no mailings - just proof of your support.

If you contributed to our 2023 Annual Appeal, as a thank you,

your Membership has already been renewed, but please consider signing up your friends and family; the more Members we have, the stronger our voice!

Your Gift Matters

Your Legacy, Our Future

Planned Gifts to ACHIEVE

The ACHIEVE Foundation seeks to support ACHIEVE’s mission to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The growth of the Foundation is determined by planned gifts from our community and family members. These gifts are the cornerstone of our Foundation and allow us to continue to offer a wide range of programs and services.

Every year, more donors are discovering the benefits of supporting ACHIEVE through their estate plans. These planned gifts are the cornerstones to the ACHIEVE Foundation and support the programs and services of our organization.

Charitable Bequest through Last Will or other Estate Plan

Individual Retirement Account

Stock and Securities

Real Estate

To learn more about Planned Giving, or to make a donation, please contact Preston Evans, Vice President Development and Donor Relations, at (607) 352-3280 or [email protected]

Thank you 2023 Platinum Partners & Sponsors!